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Welcome

Having just observed the sixth commemoration of September 11, 2001, Families of September 11 realizes how difficult this time of year can be. We offer our understanding, compassion and support to the families who lost loved ones and all those affected by 9/11.

As we continue to move through a time of commemoration, six years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and two years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and Rita, we are reminded of the threat of disasters both natural and man-made. We continue to hear the message of “Get Ready” and the importance of preparing ourselves and our families for emergencies or disasters. This month, President Bush signed a proclamation declaring September 2007 as National Preparedness month. Read the proclamation. FOS11 stands behinds this message and are proud to join more than 1,700 organizations as coalition members of National Preparedness Month 2007, a nationwide effort held each September urging all to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. We encourage you to take action by getting a family emergency supply kit, establishing a family emergency plan, being informed about different threats and getting involved in preparing your communities. Visit our website and read FOS11 Advisory Board member, Ron Shindel’s article for resources and tips on how to get prepared.

Issues Update

WTC Health Update

NYC Launches New 9/11 Health WebsiteThis new site provides the latest information about scientific research and services for people who may have health problems related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. The site’s key features include: Health information targeted to each affected group (workers, residents, etc.); Detailed information on where to get evaluation and treatment, including the three WTC Centers of Excellence; A compilation of all scientific literature and information about ongoing research; Links to financial assistance providers, social-service and environmental groups, and other groups working on issues related to 9/11; Resources for health care professionals. Visit the new website at http://www.nyc.gov/9-11healthinfo. Read the Mayor’s Press Release.

FDNY Expands Treatment at Four Satellite SitesThis month, the New York City Fire Department announced the opening of four 9/11-related treatment centers in New York. These centers will provide active and retired FDNY members medical and mental health care and encourage their continued participation in the FDNY’s World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program. Services will be available at treatment centers at Staten Island, Fort Totten in Queens, Brentwood in Suffolk County, Long Island, and Middletown in upstate Orange County. Read the FDNY Press Release.

WTC Rescue and Recovery Workers Get One Year Extension to File for Worker's CompensationThe August 14, 2007 deadline to register for 9/11 worker's compensation for personnel who worked at ground zero has been extended for one year to August 14, 2008. The new law also allows anyone who already filed a claim - but was turned down because the claim was filed too late - to re-file. If you do not register, you will not be able to file or re-file a claim. Registering now will protect your right to file a workers’ compensation claim if you become sick at any time in the future. Click to read a fact sheet regarding Workers’ Compensation Registration. Click http://www.nycosh.org/environment_wtc/WTC/WTC-12%5B1%5D.pdf to download the Claim Form and Instructions. People who need assistance in filing or who have questions can receive help by going to the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) website at: http://www.nycosh.org/index_workers_comp.html or by contacting NYCOSH's 24/7 hotline at (866) 982-2556.

New Study Reveals One-in-Eight WTC Rescue and Recovery Workers Showed Symptoms of PTSDNew findings released from the World Trade Center Health Registry show that one in eight rescue and recovery workers (12.4%) likely had post-traumatic stress disorder when they were interviewed in 2003 and 2004. The findings were published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Read the Study.

Families of September 11 also encourages all those who feel their health was affected by the terror attacks of 9/11 to visit our website Health Resources page to keep abreast of new developments. The Health Resources page contains up to date information on the latest news articles, medical reports, and treatment resources related to 9/11 health issues. http://www.familiesofseptember11.org/resources.aspx?s=33

Ground Zero Update

Search for Human Remains at the WTC SiteThe latest update from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reveals that one more victim from the original recovery has been identified. Visit our press releases webpage to view the WTC Operational Statistics memo.

FOS11 Membership PollAs a reminder, we will be reaching out to you this year to help us set the direction of FOS11 programs and initiatives for 2008 and beyond. We have once again commissioned the Center for Survey Research and Analysis at the University of Connecticut to conduct a telephone survey of our membership to find out what matters to you. This is a follow-up to our June 2006 and January 2005 polls, which helped us understand your needs as we set our strategic direction and plans for current programs. Your participation and feedback is important and greatly appreciated

FOS11 Continues to Make Progress to Prevent Nuclear TerrorismTurning the “D” into an “A” – A FOS11/NTI Public Awareness ProjectAs mentioned in earlier newsletters, FOS11 is involved in a collaborative effort with the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) in Washington, D.C. to raise public awareness through a national education campaign that seeks to encourage citizens to take action in reducing the risk of nuclear terrorism. Strong emphasis has been placed on communicating with legislators, universities, national organizations and the general public to raise awareness of the threat of nuclear terrorism, and of what people can do to prevent it. Public service announcements are currently running on television stations around the country. These announcements urge the general public to visit the informational website www.saferworld.org, which offers the latest information on nuclear terrorism issues and, most importantly, offers suggestions on what the public can do to keep nuclear materials out of the hands of terrorists. The public service announcements utilize the presence and comments by three FOS11 family members and Board members, Nancy Aronson, Carie Lemack and Elinor Stout. You can view any of these PSAs at http://www.saferworld.org/site/c.luLVJaMQKpH/b.2039131/k.DCCD/PSA_Page.htm. You can also use the www.saferworld.org website to automatically send a FAX to your local television stations urging them to air the PSAs. More than 1,000 messages have already been sent. To date, the ads have been shown in 49 states – most recently in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Texas and New York. Call us (212) 575-1878 or email info@familiesofseptember11.org to let us know if you have seen any of the PSAs air on your television station. If you can contribute a few hours, volunteers are needed to telephone the television stations and urge their running of the PSAs. Any volunteer time is much appreciated and need only take a few hours. If you are interested, please alert us by contacting (212) 575-1878 or email info@familiesofseptember11.org. We welcome your help! If you are interested in holding a screening of “Last Best Chance” in your community, asking your local television to air the public service announcements or learning more about the program and what you can do to help prevent nuclear terrorism, please visit the www.saferworld.org website.

The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery ResponseThe New York State Museum has launched an online version of the art exhibit The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response, which opened at the Museum a year after the September 2001 attacks. The online exhibit chronicles the history of the World Trade Center (WTC), the attacks, rescue efforts, recovery operation and the public response that followed. The new site http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/wtc will allow visitors access to the same objects, images and videos found in the WTC exhibition gallery, as well as interactives and podcasts of oral histories created exclusively for the web. The exhibition includes facts and figures about the World Trade Center, a construction video and information on the 1993 WTC attack. Also featured are photographs of objects from the World Trade Center, which include crushed computer fragments, keys, elevator door signs, security and visitor badges and a souvenir sold at one of the building's gift shops. The Recovery section documents the work that took place at Staten Island's Fresh Kills facility, whose Dutch-derived name means "freshwater stream." In the Response section, images of the front pages of the nation's leading newspapers tell the story of the country's initial reaction to the events of 9-11. A link to a photo of a fence at Liberty Plaza, in the Museum's WTC collection, allows web visitors to pan across the image to see the variety of spontaneous memorials that arose in the weeks following September 11. Through the "voices" link visitors will hear from Patty Clark, a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey employee who fled from the towers' upper floors. Lee Ielpi, a retired firefighter, will recount how he initially rushed to Ground Zero to search for his son, also a firefighter, but later became much more involved in the recovery effort. As time goes on, the online exhibition also will allow visitors increasing access to the Museum's WTC collection not currently on display.

Combatant Status Review Tribunal Hearings UpdateAs you are probably aware from media reports, the United States Department of Defense is conducting Combatant Status Review Tribunal Hearings at the U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The purposes of these hearings are to determine whether high value detainees meet criteria to be designated as enemy combatants. The hearings include the presentation of evidence that relates to the detainee’s enemy combatant status. The evidence presented may relate to a crime with known American Citizens as victims. The Department of Defense, the Department of Justice and the FBI are meeting to establish a process in which victims and families can be updated on these proceedings and any criminal charges and prosecutions involving these detainees. The process is still in development. In the meantime, these agencies are making efforts to keep victims and families informed. The Department of Defense has posted audio recordings of transcripts of the Combatant Status Review Tribunal Hearings on their Defense Link website. They have been posted to the following website http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Combatant_Tribunals.html. If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Office for Victim Assistance at victim.assistance@ic.fbi.gov or toll-free at (866) 828-5320.

Register Now for the FOS11 Connections – A Chat Program for Teens – Tuesday, October 2, 2007Is your child telling you that they are “done being a 9/11 kid” but do you still have concerns about how they are continuing to process their loss at different stages of development? We are building a chat program to provide a safe, supportive and sharing environment for teens (ages 12 and up) who have experienced trauma and loss. If you think your child would be interested in helping to build this program, have them join us at the next session on October 2nd at 7:00. Pre-registration and permission forms are required. Please let us know if you’re interested in having your teen participate by emailing info@familiesofseptember11.org.

Volunteer Opportunity with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)Families of September 11, in partnership with Transportation Security Administration and The Camilla Group will have upcoming speaking events in Houston, TX on September 24th and 25th, Birmingham, AL on September 26th and in Washington DC on October 1st at 10:00 AM. Speaking events in New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA and other locations are scheduled throughout the fall. (Stay tuned for updates on schedule information and more locations). Please let us know if you are available and interested in volunteering by emailing info@familiesofseptember11.org. If you decide to volunteer, you will work closely with FOS11 staff. We will assist your preparation for the event and offer talking points and training to help you tell your story. To date, these events have been attended by over 500 TSA personnel in Washington DC, Miami, FL, New Orleans, LA, Baltimore, MD, Boston, MA, Orlando, FL, and Chicago, IL. We invite you to join us and participate in this program! If you are unable to participate but would like to show your appreciation for the work of the TSO’s, we encourage you to download our thank you card to hand out at check-in/screening areas on your next visit to the airport. Download and print the thank you card in color or black and white. Learn more about this program by visiting our website at www.familiesofseptember11.org/tsa.aspx.

Dr. D.M. Gabrielle, family member and FOS11 Advisory Committee member, provides the following account of her experience speaking to TSO’s in Orlando, FL: “I enjoyed interacting with Carie and FOS11 volunteer [name withheld], and feeling the empathy and appreciation from TSA employees. I felt that our talking to them helped affirm their mission, and helped add a personal connection to the rules that they enforce. Many employees expressed that they entered the force as a reaction to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and that us talking with them reaffirmed why they do what they do.”

National Preparedness Month Events -- OngoingThroughout September, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has worked with a wide variety of organizations, including local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and promote individual involvement through events and activities across the nation. View an online calendar of remaining National Preparedness Month events. Also, visit the Citizen Corps website www.citizencorps.govto find information on the Citizen Corps Council located nearest to you, where you can get training in first aid and emergency skills, and volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety. Last year, Citizen Corps Councils, Affiliates and Program Partners took part in over 900 events around the country. Help spread the word on preparedness by supporting and organizing events in your community. Find events in your area or post your own events on the Citizen Corp Calendar.

Our Voices Together – Find/Host a Forum Near YouOur Voices Together is hosting Safer, More Compassionate World Forums across the United States. These forums will explore comprehensive approaches to counterterrorism beyond governmental policies and actions, and highlight ways citizens can engage constructively in what the 9/11 Commission termed the "Agenda of Opportunity:" education, employment, and the possibility for a brighter tomorrow. For more information on cities and dates visit the website www.ourvoicestogether.org.

Traveling Exhibition for the National September 11 Memorial and MuseumThe exhibition pays tribute to the victims and heroes of 9/11 and will begin traveling around the nation this September to raise awareness and funds for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center. Individuals and communities across the country will also have the chance to contribute directly to this historic effort by signing a steel beam that will be used in the construction of the National September 11 Memorial. The exhibition includes a detailed timeline of the events, photographs, artifacts and a short film. The touring exhibition launched in Columbia, South Carolina on September 10-11, and has traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina on September 15 – 16 and Norfolk, Virginia on September 19- 20. Upcoming tour cities will include Pittsburgh, PA, Charleston, WV, Cincinnati, OH, Lexington, KY and Fort Wayne, IN, to name a few. Visit the website for more information and to view the current list tour cities and dates. http://www.national911memorial.org.

StoryCorps: The September 11th Initiative - MobileBooth Stop in Philadelphia, PAWhat does your community sound like? StoryCorps, a revolutionary initiative to record this nation’s stories in sound is coming to Philadelphia November 9 - 30. This event is an opportunity for Philadelphians to be part of the largest oral history project in the United States. To find out about the project and how to participate, please contact Amy Paul at 646-723-7020, x202 or email apaul@storycorps.net. Visit the www.storycorps.net/wtc to learn more about the September 11th Initiative and to listen to interviews.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell’s 2nd Annual September 11 RemembranceThe remembrance will take place on Thursday, September 27, 2007, 12:30 – 2:50PM at O’Leary Library Room, Room 222, U. Mass Lowell. Beyond Belief, a documentary film by Beth Murphy will be shown at 1:00PM. Susan Retik, co-founder of Beyond the 11th (Beyond the 11th supports Afghan widows affected by war and terrorism, by funding programs that provide life-sustaining financial and emotional support) will introduce the film and Beth Murphy, filmmaker and founder of Principle Pictures, a documentary film company committed to internationally-focused programming that can compel social change will be available for Q&A. For program information please contact Jeffrey Gerson, Political Science Department 978-934-4255; Jeffrey_Gerson@uml.edu.

Tribute Center’s New ExhibitionThe Tribute WTC Visitors Center is hosting a new exhibition, Coming Together: Our Children Respond to 9/11 with Hope for the Future, now through January 18, 2008. Produced in collaboration with the NYU Child Study Center, the exhibit will feature paintings, collages and multimedia created between 2001 and 2006 by children in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Tribute Center Daily Walking ToursThe Tribute Center is a project of the September 11th Widows and Victims' Families' Association. They offer daily public tours around the perimeter of the World Trade Center site led by people who lost loved ones, survivors of the attacks, lower Manhattan residents and workers, rescue workers, and volunteers who came to help. Each tour gives an overview of the events of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001 and provides an opportunity for visitors to hear their guide’s personal experiences. Tours start at 120 Liberty Street and last approximately one hour. To reserve your spot on a tour, please visit the center approximately 1 hour before tour time to pick up tickets. Registration fee is $10.00 per person; children under 12 are admitted free. For more information, email volunteer@tributenyc.org or visit their website at http://www.tributewtc.org/. Schedule: Sundays- Fridays 11:00 AM, 12:00 noon, 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM EST; Saturdays 11:00 AM; 12:00 PM; 1:00 PM; 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:00PM EST.

Resources

The Essentials of Home Emergency PreparednessWritten by Ron Shindel, Retired NYPD Commander, Security and Emergency Preparedness Expert and FOS11 Advisory Board Member. In this article, he offers tips on emergency planning for the home. "Be Prepared! It’s not just a saying for scouts, it’s really a way of life for those who want to be ready should a challenge arise," Ron writes, "Whether it’s an act of terrorism, a building fire, a power outage, or just Mother Nature reasserting her supremacy, being prepared saves lives and makes the road to recovery and restoration of normalcy a much smoother ride." Read the full article.

Ready.govThrough this website, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides suggestions on how you can prepare for the unexpected, from assembling a supply kit to developing a family communications plan. This site also provides useful preparedness links, materials for business and information on state agencies. Call (800) BE-READY for a free brochure. Visit the website www.ready.gov for more information. In addition, the Ready Campaign has launched new area on the National Preparedness Month Web site. The NPM Week-In-Review Journal just went live and features a few of the efforts made by fellow Coalition Members to educate Ready Kids on ways to help their families and schools be better prepared for emergencies. Please take a moment to review these efforts and feel free to interact by posting your comments of support. To view the NPM Week-One-In-Review Journal go here: http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/week1review.html

Prepare.orgDeveloped by the American Red Cross and other community-based organizations, this website offers resources to help you and your family prepare for natural and human-caused disasters. One of their main goals is to serve the vulnerable population, including seniors, children, people with disabilities and pet owners. Preparedness materials are available in English and multiple foreign languages. Visit the website www.prepare.org for more information. Click here to access their free online preparedness training module.

Children of September 11th Fall 2007 NewsletterA newsletter for caregivers of children who have been affected by trauma. Click here to read the latest issue of the Children of September 11 newsletter, which focuses on school safety and preparedness. For more resources for caregivers and advocates of children who have been affected by the traumatic events of September 11, 2001, visit our website www.childrenofseptember11.org

LifeNet (NYC)If you or someone you know in the New York City area is suffering with emotional or substance abuse problems, LifeNet can help. LifeNet counselors are available, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and speak a variety of languages. LifeNet is a program of the Mental Health Association of NYC, Inc. To learn more about LifeNet click here. You can reach LifeNet by calling any one of the toll-free, anonymous hotlines:

(800) LifeNet (800) 543-3638 (English)

(877) Ayudese (877) 298-3373 (Spanish)

(877) 990-8585 (Asian LifeNet)

(212) 982-5284 (TTY)

For information about nationally available mental health support outside of New York State, click here.

Contact Us

Online

By Phone

General information: 212-575-1878

Families of September 11 (FOS11) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by families of those who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks. Membership is open to anyone affected by the events of September 11, 2001. More than 2,400 people worldwide have chosen to join us.

Families of September 11 is an accredited charity and is a member of the Seal Program, which indicates that our organization has met the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. For more information about the Standards, please visit the BBB of Metro New York's website at http://www.newyork.bbb.org/.

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